1 October 2026
The strengthening El Nino is set to affect temperature, rainfall and tropical cyclone patterns across the South-West Indian Ocean region, the World Meteorological Organization said, publishing the outlook of the region's Climate Outlook Forum.
The outlook covers October to December 2026 and January to March 2027, and the forum urged governments and communities to prepare for multiple hazards rather than a single impact scenario.
It forecasts drier conditions and increased drought risk across the southern part of the region, particularly South Africa, southern and central Mozambique, Malawi and south-western Madagascar.
Wetter conditions and increased flood risk are expected across parts of the north, particularly Tanzania, northern Malawi, Seychelles and parts of the Mascarene Islands.
Above-normal temperatures are expected across the entire region, with a substantially increased likelihood of exceptionally high temperatures, while tropical cyclone activity for the basin overall is forecast to be below normal with tracks shifting southward.
The fifteenth session of the forum was hosted by the Seychelles Meteorological Agency from 15 to 17 September and also factored in the Indian Ocean Dipole, which has been moving from a neutral state towards a positive phase.
Outlook period:
October-December 2026 and January-March 2027
Host:
Seychelles Meteorological Agency, 15-17 September
Cyclone activity for the basin:
below normal, tracks shifting southward
Why it matters for exams: The Indian Ocean Dipole, the Mascarene Islands and El Nino's effect on cyclone tracks are frequently examined physical geography topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Indian Ocean Dipole Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) — An oscillation of sea surface temperatures between the western and eastern tropical Indian Ocean that influences rainfall around the basin.
Mascarene Islands Mascarene Islands — The island group east of Madagascar comprising Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues.
Climate Outlook Forum Regional Climate Outlook Forum — A regional meeting of national meteorological services that agrees a consensus seasonal forecast for its region.
1 October 2026
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution announced revised sugar stock holding norms in a release on 1 October 2026, as the new sugar season began on 1st October. The stock holding period for sugar dealers has been reduced to 15 days and the stock holding limit fixed at 1,000 quintals, with effect from 15 October 2026 to 30 November 2026. A dealer shall not hold sugar stock for a period exceeding 15 days from the date of receipt of such stock, and shall not hold more than 1,000 quintals at any time and at any place across the country. The limit has been fixed at 2,000 quintals for Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas and the State of Assam. The Ministry said Kolkata sources sugar from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka and supplies the eastern part of the country including the North-Eastern region, while the higher limit for Assam reflects geographical constraints and transportation logistics. Average retail sugar prices have declined by 15 per cent from their August peak and ex-mill sugar prices have declined by approximately 28 per cent. The Ministry stated that sugarcane farmers and consumers are the two central pillars of India's sugar policy.
Stock holding period:
15 days
Stock holding limit:
1,000 quintals
Limit for Kolkata and Assam:
2,000 quintals
Period of effect:
15 October 2026 to 30 November 2026
Retail price decline:
15 per cent from the August peak
Ex-mill price decline:
Approximately 28 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Stock holding limits, their effective dates and the regional exceptions are precise, examinable facts on food management.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Quintal A unit of weight equal to 100 kilograms — Stock limits for food commodities in India are commonly set in quintals.
Ex-mill price The price at which a mill sells its output — It is the price before wholesale and retail margins are added.
Background
Mission Queen Pineapple is a convergence-led initiative for pineapple cultivation and value chain development around Tripura's GI-tagged Queen pineapple.
It carries an outlay of ₹236 crore.
The design has a central hub near Agartala airport with eight spoke collection centres across West Tripura, Khowai and Sepahijala districts.
The mission notes a farmgate price of ₹6–10 per kilogram for the fruit.
It targets converting nearly 60 percent of pineapple plant byproducts into value-added products.
It was launched by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia along with Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha and Agriculture Minister Shri Ratan Lal Nath.
Outlay:
₹236 crore
Spoke collection centres:
Eight
Farmgate price:
₹6–10 per kilogram
Why it matters for exams: GI products, horticulture missions and Tripura's district names are frequently asked together.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GI Geographical Indication — A tag that ties a product's name to its place of origin and qualities.
Hub and spoke Hub and spoke model — A central processing point served by smaller feeder collection centres.
Background
Idukki district was created on 26 January 1972. It lies in the Western Ghats of Kerala. It is the second largest district in area but has the lowest population density. About 66% of the State's power needs come from the hydroelectric power projects in Idukki. More than half of the district is forest, and it is known as the spice garden of Kerala.
Created on:
26 January 1972
Share of State power from Idukki hydro projects:
About 66%
Epithet:
Spice garden of Kerala
Why it matters for exams: District formation, power and the 'spice garden' epithet are staple Kerala PSC questions.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Hydroelectric power Power from falling water — Electricity generated by the force of flowing or falling water.
30 September 2026
The India Meteorological Department's end-of-season figures put the June to September 2026 southwest monsoon rainfall at 759.4 mm against a long period average of 868.6 mm.
That is 87 per cent of the long period average, a deficit of about 13 per cent, and the lowest seasonal rainfall since 2015.
It is the fourth-lowest monsoon since 2001 and the thirteenth-lowest since 1901.
East and Northeast India recorded 1,017 mm, or 74 per cent of its average, the region's lowest monsoon rainfall since 1901, while the South Peninsula got 542 mm, or 76 per cent.
Northwest India was at 94 per cent and Central India at 97 per cent of their averages.
Of the 36 meteorological subdivisions, 18 had normal rainfall, 17 were deficient and Odisha alone was in the excess category.
June was the weakest month at 65 per cent of normal, July was at 101 per cent, August at 84 per cent and September at 92 per cent.
Season rainfall:
759.4 mm
Long period average:
868.6 mm
Share of the average:
87 per cent
East and Northeast India:
1,017 mm, 74 per cent of average
Subdivisions:
18 normal, 17 deficient, 1 excess, of 36
Why it matters for exams: Seasonal monsoon percentages, the long period average and the subdivision count are asked almost every year in geography and environment sections.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
LPA Long Period Average — The average rainfall over a long reference period, against which a season's rainfall is measured.
IMD India Meteorological Department — The national weather agency, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, that issues India's monsoon statements.
Subdivision Meteorological subdivision — One of the 36 regions into which the IMD divides India for rainfall reporting.
30 September 2026
Twenty-two dairy companies submitted investment proposals worth ₹695.18 crore at the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show, UPITS-2026.
The proposals are expected to create more than 2,500 jobs.
Ace International Ltd proposed ₹457 crore across Hathras, Aligarh and Agra, with about 1,500 jobs.
Carebro Innovators Pvt Ltd proposed ₹100 crore across Ayodhya, Lucknow, Meerut and Bareilly, with more than 250 jobs.
Anjum Dairy proposed ₹50 crore in Moradabad, Amroha and Rampur; Gwin Whey Protein ₹27 crore in Etah, Firozabad and Etawah; and Gauri Food and Beverages ₹14.65 crore in Jhansi.
The proposals were received under the Uttar Pradesh Dairy Development and Dairy Products Promotion Policy, 2022.
Milk Commissioner Dhanlakshmi K was among the officials associated with the exercise.
Total proposals:
₹695.18 crore
Companies:
22
Jobs expected:
over 2,500
Largest single proposal:
₹457 crore, Ace International Ltd
Why it matters for exams: Uttar Pradesh is the country's largest milk-producing state, and state-level investment policies and their figures are regular economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
UPITS Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show — An annual trade fair held by the Uttar Pradesh government to showcase the state's products and attract investment.
30 September 2026
The Union Cabinet approved higher Minimum Support Prices for six rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season. Wheat rises by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal. Safflower gets the largest increase, ₹675, to ₹7,215. Rapeseed and mustard rise by ₹413 to ₹6,613, lentil by ₹390 to ₹7,390, barley by ₹136 to ₹2,286 and gram by ₹83 to ₹5,958. The decision keeps the 2018-19 Budget policy of fixing MSP at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.
Wheat MSP:
₹2,610 per quintal
Wheat increase:
₹25
Safflower increase:
₹675
Marketing season:
2027-28
Why it matters for exams: MSP figures and the 1.5 times cost policy are common in agriculture and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
Children have been killed and injured in fresh fighting in Baidoa, the largest city of Somalia's South West State, UNICEF said. Clashes have broken out between Government forces and fighters loyal to the former regional president, who was ousted in March. In Baidoa alone, 26,000 people face catastrophic food insecurity, the highest level on the hunger scale. Across Somalia two million children are acutely or severely malnourished. The World Food Programme can now support just over 670,000 people, down from more than four million monthly a few years ago.
People in catastrophic food insecurity in Baidoa:
26,000
Acutely or severely malnourished children in Somalia:
two million
People WFP can now support:
just over 670,000
Why it matters for exams: Africa's conflicts, famine risk and the role of WFP and UNICEF are frequent exam topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
WFP World Food Programme — The UN agency that delivers food assistance in emergencies.
El Niño Periodic warming of the central Pacific — A weather pattern that can intensify rains or droughts in different regions.
Background
Sikkim became India's first fully organic state in 2016, banning chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It became the 22nd state of India in 1975. It is India's second smallest state in area and its least populous, with Gangtok as capital. Sikkim shares international borders with Nepal, Bhutan and China. Khangchendzonga National Park is India's 1st UNESCO Mixed World Heritage Site.
Fully organic:
2016
Became a state:
1975 (22nd state)
Capital:
Gangtok
Borders:
Nepal, Bhutan, China
Why it matters for exams: India's first fully organic state and Sikkim's basic profile are among the most repeated questions on the state.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
The Union Cabinet approved higher Minimum Support Prices for six rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season on 30 September 2026.
Wheat rises by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal, gram by ₹83 to ₹5,958 and barley by ₹136 to ₹2,286.
Masur (lentil) rises by ₹390 to ₹7,390, rapeseed and mustard by ₹413 to ₹6,613 and safflower by ₹675 to ₹7,215.
Safflower gets the highest increase of ₹675 per quintal.
Expected margin over the cost of production ranges from 50 per cent for safflower to 106 per cent for wheat.
The revised prices follow the Union Budget 2018-19 principle of fixing MSP at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.
Wheat MSP 2027-28:
₹2,610 per quintal
Safflower increase:
₹675 per quintal
Gram MSP:
₹5,958 per quintal
Estimated procurement payout:
₹90,962 crore
Why it matters for exams: MSP figures, the cost-plus 1.5 times principle and the rabi crop list are staple questions in economy and agriculture papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
Background
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is an apex development financial institution in India.
It was established on 12 July 1982.
Its headquarters are in Mumbai.
Its mission is to promote sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural prosperity.
It works through credit support, related services, institutional development and other innovative initiatives.
Established:
12 July 1982
Headquarters:
Mumbai
Nature:
Apex development financial institution
Focus:
Agriculture and rural prosperity
Why it matters for exams: NABARD's role, headquarters and founding are regular banking and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
29 September 2026
The North Goa District Mineral Foundation Trust held its 17th governing council meeting on September 29, 2026.
North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, IAS, chaired the meeting, which was attended by MLAs Premendra Shet and Dr Deviya Rane.
The council reviewed ongoing projects worth over ₹15 crore across skill development, education, healthcare and animal husbandry.
It sanctioned approximately ₹6 crore in fresh proposals.
The new approvals cover rooftop solar subsidies under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, scholarships for Mining Engineering students at Goa Engineering College, smart classrooms and a Digital Learning Centre at Government Polytechnic, Bicholim, and upgrades to the operating theatre and the TruNat room at CHC Bicholim.
The council also approved streamlined procedures for the timely implementation of District Mineral Foundation projects.
Meeting:
17th governing council meeting
Projects reviewed:
over ₹15 crore
Fresh proposals sanctioned:
approximately ₹6 crore
Why it matters for exams: District Mineral Foundations and the PM Surya Ghar Yojana are frequently asked, and this shows how mining royalty money is actually spent.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DMF District Mineral Foundation — A trust in each mining-affected district funded by a share of mining royalty, for local welfare.
PM Surya Ghar Yojana Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana — A central scheme that subsidises rooftop solar power for households.
29 September 2026
UN relief chief Tom Fletcher has released funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) ahead of El Niño-driven drought in Africa.
South Sudan receives $6 million, where over 10 million people already need aid.
Zimbabwe receives $4 million for anticipatory action on food, health and nutrition.
Chad receives $3.6 million to help 350,000 people prepare for dry conditions.
The funds were released automatically once trigger thresholds were met.
South Sudan:
$6 million
Zimbabwe:
$4 million
Chad:
$3.6 million
Fund:
CERF
Why it matters for exams: UN funds, anticipatory humanitarian action and climate phenomena like El Niño are common in current-affairs papers.
UPSCSSC
29 September 2026
A state-level conclave on farmer safety and wildlife conflict was held at Thiruvambady. Forest Minister Shibu Baby John inaugurated it, Agriculture Minister Adv. T. Siddique presided and Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar was chief guest. In his concluding speech the Agriculture Minister announced that compensation for crop damage in wildlife attacks will be raised by 100 per cent, that steps have begun to set aside ₹119 crore for natural-calamity crop-loss compensation since 2021 with payment from next month, and that startups developing wildlife-conflict solutions will get ₹4 lakh each initially. The proposals presented at the conclave include priority for the 55 panchayats worst hit by wildlife conflict.
Crop-damage compensation:
Raised by 100 per cent
Calamity crop-loss fund:
₹119 crore
Panchayats proposed for priority:
55
Why it matters for exams: Human-wildlife conflict compensation and state schemes are regular Kerala PSC questions, and the figures are easy to test.
Kerala PSC
29 September 2026
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian asked the Centre for a timely and uninterrupted supply of 5.5 lakh metric tonnes of DAP and 15 lakh MT of urea for the coming Rabi season.
He placed the demand at the National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Season 2026 in Delhi.
The requirement is critical for the State's major Rabi crops, wheat and potato.
Punjab has about 41 lakh hectares of cultivable land.
The State contributes nearly 40 per cent of the wheat and 22 per cent of the paddy that go into the national foodgrain pool.
The minister said earlier delays in fertiliser supply had caused hardship to farmers.
DAP sought:
5.5 lakh MT
Urea sought:
15 lakh MT
Cultivable land:
41 lakh hectares
Share of wheat in national pool:
nearly 40 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Fertiliser demand figures and Punjab's share in the national foodgrain pool are standard agriculture-economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste was observed on 29 September 2026, led by the UN Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
The 2026 theme links food loss and waste to forest protection and sustainable agrifood systems.
More than one billion meals are left uneaten every day worldwide.
Food loss and waste accounts for 8-10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, largely as methane released in landfills.
More than $1 trillion is lost globally every year through food loss and waste, while 2.6 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
UNEP says every dollar invested in prevention saves cities $8 and households $84.
A cooperative of 179 farmers near Nairobi was losing up to 40 per cent of its crops after harvest until cold-storage equipment was provided.
Meals uneaten daily:
over one billion
Share of global emissions:
8-10%
Annual economic loss:
more than $1 trillion
Why it matters for exams: UN observance days, their lead agencies and food-waste figures are frequently asked.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Head Regulator of Indira Gandhi Feeder at Harike was designed and constructed with a capacity of 15,000 cusecs. The Indira Gandhi Feeder itself was constructed with a designed capacity of 18,500 cusecs. Raising the capacity of the head regulator, so that the capacity of the Indira Gandhi Feeder could be better used, was taken up by the Ministry of Jal Shakti with Rajasthan and Punjab. A joint inspection by the Chief Engineers of Rajasthan and Punjab was held at the Harike Head Works. It was concluded that, due to limited area available at site, construction of an additional bay in the head regulator of the Indira Gandhi Feeder is not feasible. Construction of additional bays in the head regulator of the Rajasthan Feeder had not been found to be advisable. The information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
Capacity of the head regulator at Harike:
15,000 cusecs
Designed capacity of the Indira Gandhi Feeder:
18,500 cusecs
States concerned:
Rajasthan and Punjab
Ministry:
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Why it matters for exams: The Indira Gandhi canal system is the standard example of inter-state canal water use, and its offtake point and design capacities are the facts usually asked.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Patiala district in Punjab forms a part of the Indo-Gangetic plain and is described as three types of region: the Upland Plain, the Cho-infested Foothill Plain and the Floodplain of the Ghaggar River. The river Ghaghar is the most important water channel of the district and is essentially a seasonal stream, remaining dry during most part of the year. During the rains it remains in spate, often flooding the adjoining villages and damaging crops and livestock. The subsidiary rivulets that join the Ghaggar River include the Tangri Nadi, Patiala-Wali-Nadi, Sirhind Choe and the Jhambowali Choe. Apart from the natural drainage line the district has three important canals: the Bhakra Main Line canal, the Nawana Branch and the Ghaghar Link. Before these canals were constructed Patiala district was a water scarce area, and the canals helped to transform the parched fields into fertile, double-crop lands. The district lies between 29°49’ and 30°47’ north latitude and 75°58’ and 76°54’ east longitude, and is sub-divided into 6 sub-divisons/tehsils, 2 sub-tehsils and 9 blocks.
Main water channel:
Ghaggar River
Canals:
Bhakra Main Line canal, Nawana Branch, Ghaghar Link
Subsidiary rivulets:
Tangri Nadi, Patiala-Wali-Nadi, Sirhind Choe, Jhambowali Choe
Sub-divisions/tehsils:
6
Blocks:
9
Why it matters for exams: Examiners pair a seasonal river with the canal network built to replace it, because it shows why canal irrigation, not rainfall, underpins double cropping in this part of the plains.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The President of India has given assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025. The resulting Act represents a comprehensive statutory overhaul of MGNREGA, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act enacted in 2005, which had guaranteed at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment each year to rural households willing to undertake unskilled manual work. The Act guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household in each financial year to such rural households whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work, with an aggregated 60-day no-work period to ensure the availability of agricultural labour during peak sowing and harvesting season, so that the 125 guaranteed days fall within the remaining 305 days. The disbursement of daily wages shall be made on a weekly basis or, in any case, not later than a fortnight after the date on which such work was done. Employment creation is integrated with infrastructure development through four priority verticals: water security through water-related works, core-rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and special works to mitigate extreme weather events. Assets created are aggregated into the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, and planning is decentralised through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans spatially integrated with PM Gati Shakti. The programme shifts from a central sector scheme to a centrally sponsored framework, with a standard cost-sharing ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and states, 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan states, and 100 per cent central funding for Union Territories without legislatures. Where work is not provided, a daily unemployment allowance becomes payable after 15 days, with liability resting on the States, and the administrative expenditure ceiling rises from 6 per cent to 9 per cent, with social audits mandated at least once every six months.
Employment guaranteed:
125 days of wage employment per rural household in each financial year
Statute overhauled:
MGNREGA, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, and its earlier 100-day entitlement
No-work period:
an aggregated 60-day no-work period, leaving 305 days
Priority verticals:
four — water security, core-rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, special works for extreme weather events
Cost sharing:
60:40 Centre and states; 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan states; 100 per cent for Union Territories without legislatures
Unemployment allowance:
payable after 15 days, liability resting on the States
Why it matters for exams: A change of statute in the rural employment guarantee resets every number an aspirant had memorised, so the days guaranteed, the no-work period, the cost-sharing ratios and who pays the unemployment allowance are all fresh question material.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The 73rd Amendment 1992 added a new Part IX to the constitution titled The Panchayats, covering provisions from Article 243 to 243(O), and a new Eleventh Schedule covering 29 subjects within the functions of the Panchayats. It implements article 40 of the DPSP, under which the State shall take steps to organise village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government. Part IX provides for a 3 tier Panchayat system at the village level, intermediate level and district level, but states with a population below 20 Lakh were given an option to not to have the intermediate level. Gram Sabha is a body consisting of all the persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village comprised within the area of Panchayat at the village level, and it is the only permanent unit in Panchayati Raj system. Seats are reserved for SCs and STs in proportion to their population at each level, and out of the total number of seats to be filled by the direct elections, 1/3rd have to be reserved for women. A clear term for 5 years has been provided for the Panchayats, and where a Panchayat is dissolved earlier the elections must take place before expiry of 6 months of the dissolution. Article 243F fixes 21 years as the minimum age to become a member of the Panchayat, and Article 243K provides for constitution of a State Election Commission in respect of the Panchayats. The provisions of part IX are not applicable to the entire states of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
Part added to the Constitution:
Part IX, Article 243 to 243(O)
Schedule added:
Eleventh Schedule, 29 subjects
Directive Principle implemented:
article 40 of the DPSP
Term of a Panchayat:
5 years
Minimum age for membership:
21 years, under Article 243F
States to which Part IX does not apply:
Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram
Why it matters for exams: Which Part, which Schedule, how many subjects, the term, the minimum age and the exempted states are the exact points asked on rural local government.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC